The last chapter of what has been a magnificent detailed explanation of how richly Jesus replaces the old Jewish revelation, and there is no going back. Along the way, it draws out revelation, encouragement and warnings for all believers.
The last chapter tries to be a quick list of everything else the author wants to say, but (s)he also can’t resist getting back into the revelatory place of the rest of the letter a few times too.
I describe the author as (s)he particularly because a number have argued that Priscilla fits the bill.
Towards the end the author explicitly says sort of sorry/not sorry for the length of the letter, because while it’s long, there is also so much more that could be said.
The practical reminders are quite beautiful and tender: remember those in prison as if you were there, those mistreated as if you had been hurt, show hospitality to strangers as if they were angels.
That last verse about entertaining angels unawares has goaded me to dig for change in my pocket for vulnerable beggars many times over my life.
The tone is warm and positive after all the sharp warnings in the teaching. Praise Jesus, do good to others and share. The final prayer calls on Jesus the shepherd, not the disciplinarian.
The following verse struck me for some reason. It builds on the fact that Jesus was crucified outside the Jerusalem city wall, not a temple sacrifice. It’s that deep teaching dimension coming into the final salutations:
“Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”
V13-14
Our model is of someone outside the institutions of religion. The church serves Jesus, not the other way around. Walk your path of relationship with Jesus, even if you look like a criminal/misfit. This life is really just camping out, waiting for eternity.
I’m very miserable. A big fight with daisy a week or so ago which has been building for some time. She came to dinner, we ignited her anger, and she never wants to see us again as long as she lives.
It’s true that we upset her a lot. That is a phenomenon of her life which she has dealt with by this action.
There’s so much more could and I hope will be said about it though. I feel a unique mixture of pain for my sake and for hers. Quite devastated on both fronts.
I love her, which keeps opening it up for me. But because I love her, I also have to keep closing it down so she has the space. But also I do need, and I believe it’s for for both our sakes, to assure her of my love. Complicated!
Rennie has gone away for a week to his girlfriend’s family in the country. That’s a strange first, particularly at this time, I think we’re all feeling that.
Mounting evidence of me being a professional, financial and personal failure at a time when I’m too old and badly burnt to do anything about it keeps tempting me to self pity and joylessness.
But I refuse to make it about me. So far it has made Kelly and I stronger, and along with the boys the four of us have valued each other.
I wouldn’t be as dramatic as to say I’m outside the city wall sharing Jesus’ disgrace, but I’m determined to walk this unenviable path sharing Jesus’ grace. Humbly asking forgiveness. Feeling others’ pain, doing good, sharing. Praising.